The UK will impose limits on the number of Bulgarian and Romanian migrant workers for a transitional period of time, UK ambassador Jeremy Hill said on October 24.

Shortly after the announcement, Ireland said that it was following suit with similar restrictions, while Poland confirmed officially that its labour market would be open to Bulgarians and Romanians.

Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania will be able to find jobs in the UK under two low skilled migration schemes; a highly skilled workers' scheme; a part time student workers' scheme for students at UK universities; and a self-employed business scheme. Up to 19 750 workers from both countries will be able to find low skilled jobs in seasonal agriculture and in food processing, and under 100 will be able to get highly skilled jobs, although only where no British nationals are available. Highly skilled workers will also need to pass qualification tests.

The numbers of workers allowed to work under the low-skilled workers' scheme will be reviewed annually, as will all other labour limitation arrangements.  Industry representatives will be consulted on whether similar schemes are needed in other low-skill sectors, Hill said.

Romanian and Bulgarian students studying in the UK will be allowed to work up to 20 hours part-time provided that they are enrolled in an educational institution registered with the UK department of education and learning. Self-employed businessmen will be able to set up business if they are genuinely self-employed and not disguised employees or employees posing as contractors, Hill said.